Friday, October 31, 2008

Bad Haiku Friday


WHY?

It is a quandary
It's a mystery to me
Why some can't comment.

Of late I've gotten emails from friends, long-time blogging friends who tell me they are unable to leave a comment on my blog. I got another yesterday. I've worked again on the settings and tried to figure out why some can and others seem to have difficulty. As a system's check, would you just say, "Hi"? This boggles the mind, of which I seem to be missing the technical part. Thank you!

~~~~~~~
And
Thanks be to God!


Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Prayer

The topic this week...Prayer. There is much to learn and be taught about prayer. Interestingly, there is a lot written about prayer. So, while I have the chance, in preparation for my presentation I though I would share my wanderings with you.

In Catholicism for Dummies I found this.

We Are Family


In the Bible, a mother begged Jesus to drive a demon our of her daughter (Mark 7:25-30). The Church maintains that Jesus, being God and man, already knew that the daughter was plagued by a demon, so he didn't need the mother to tell him. But he allow and permitted the mother to get involved and ask for help on behalf fo her child.

Likewise, the Church believes that Jesus doesn't need the saints to tell him anything but he permits people to ask the saints to ask him for help. Why? Because humankind is all one family, all made in the image and likeness of God, all children of God, and all brothers and sisters in Christ, with Jesus being the brother. And the dead who should are with God are still part of the family of humankind and still connected to all on earth.


On the eve of a weekend when All Saints are honored and All Souls prayed for I offer this as reflection on Prayer. Wishing you all peace of mind and love of the Savior through prayer.

I would also ask for YOUR intercessory prayer for Evelyn Bethel, the is the mother of my friend Karen, as she undergoes surgery today to repair a broken hip. May God the Father , the Son and Holy Spirit be with them all especially the surgeons who perform the surgery!

~~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I Nearly Did It...

Yes I did. I set up another blog. Called it the Road to Providence. Worked on all the colors, fonts, gave it a "look". Then logic prevailed. (Anyone who knows me knows that that is not always the case. Usually it's emotions before logic) What in the world was I doing? I have difficulty managing this blog. What would I do with two? So I have decided if I wanted to share with you anything about my journey to becoming an associate of the Sisters of Providence I would use "Road to Providence" in the Title above...Certainly made sense to me!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to GOD!!!

OH!!!! Stop by A Catholic Mom in Minnesota today. She has a great list of Truths for "After the Election."

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Power Prayer


Next week the topic for RCIA is prayer. I'll be presenting the lesson. It is interesting, just as I was about to begin, that I was guided to this particular homily by St. Clement of Alexandria in the book Living the Mysteries: A Guide for Unfinished Christians by Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina. I must say that I am not really comfortable witnessing about prayer or even explaining what it is, as sometimes I'm not sure I can even say I know how to pray. This is a gift, I know, for why else would I be given this challenge. With all those who daily pray, how do you teach someone to pray, or even adequately explain what praying is?

Well, here is a partial answer given to the neophytes entrusted to St. Clement.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer doen't change God. He is enchanging and unchangeable. But it does change us, making us more like Him, and thus more able to accept His will, whatever it may be. Prayer makes us radiate goodness.

On the face of Moses there settles a kind of glorified hue, because of his righteous conduct and his constant conversation with God who spoke to him. So, too, a divine power of goodness clings to the righteous soul in contemplation, in prophecy, and in the act of governing. It impresses on the soul a kind of intellectual radiance, like a ray of the sun, as a visible sight of righteousness. It unites the soul with light, through unbroken love, which is God-bearing and borne by God. This is how someone who knows God grows in likeness to God the Savior, as far as human nature may, since he becomes perfect "as your heavenly Father is perfect"(Mt 4:48).

~~~~~~~
There follows these instructions by the authors.
~~~~~~~
Take It to Prayer

A divine power of goodness clings to the righteous soul in contemplation.

"If. . .the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this was, will not the dispensation of the Spirit be attended with greater Splendor?" (2 Cor 3:7-8). "All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image of glory to glory" (2 Cor 3:18 NAB).

Apply It to Your Life

Schedule Time for prayer each day. Make it the most important appointment on your calendar. Stick to it.
~~~~~+~~~~~

And so there you have it. A short lesson in prayer. I'm still struggling with my prayer life. I don't know how to listen. My prayer is "Teach me to be QUIET!" Now I also pray that in the next several days the Holy Spirit will guide me to a lesson that will aid those who are seeking answers might be encouraged to amplify their prayer life.

Pray for ME!
~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

A Little Light Humor...

A friend sent this to me and I laughed out loud! Please enjoy Emily's contribution to today's A Bit of the Blarney! (Please feel free to substitute brunette, redhead, or gray hair for the coworker. )

Sick Leave

I urgently needed a few days off work, but I knew the Boss would not allow me to take leave. I thought that maybe if I acted 'Crazy' he would tell me to take a few days off. So, I hung upside-down from the ceiling and made funny noises. My co-worker (who's blonde) asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb, so that the Boss might think I was 'Crazy' and give me a few days off . A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked, 'What on earth are you doing?'

I told him I was a light bulb .

He said, 'You are clearly stressed out. Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.'

I jumped down and walked out of the office.

When my co-worker (the blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her,'And where do you think you're going?! '

She said, 'I'm going home too. I can't work in the dark .'

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Who Are the Poor?

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
September, 2007

It is clear to me that we all are being called in one way or another to help the poor. As the ranks of the unemployed grow, as many have lost their homes, and those who need health care have difficulty affording it, I ask what am I to do? Where should I go to help?

Henri J. M. Nouwen in the book Bread for the Journey offers some assistance.

Going to the Margins of the Church

Those who are marginal in the world are central in the Church, and that is how it is supposed to be! Thus we are called as members of the church to keep going to the margins of our society. The homeless, the starving, parentless children, people with AIDS, or emotionally disturbed brothers and sisters--they require our first attention.

We can trust that when we reach out with all our energy to the margins of our society we will discover that petty disagreements, fruitless debates, and paralyzing rivalries will recede and gradually vanish. The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us.

In other words I cannot be complacent. I cannot be idle. I have an obligation to care for the poor wherever I find them. Working in conjunction with the Church I should be able to be of some use.

Praying the Holy Spirit will guide me in the direction that I can be of most use. Pray for me!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Bad Haiku Friday


Good morning, I rise.
The sun is not shining, but...
It's raining outside!
(yeah!!)

~~~^j^~~~

Have a great day
and
Thanks Be to God!!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Charity begins at home...

INDY at Sunrise
October, 2008

I am privileged to live in a place that has exquisite beauty. You live in a place wherever that may be with its own exquisite beauty. Why? Because God made it for our pleasure. Still there are those who live where we do who may not see this privilege because they only see the poverty and feel the hunger. They suffer from pain and no way to ease it. We are called to love. This is not a choice for those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are not to spend our lives taking. We are to spend our lives giving. Why? Because he gave His ALL for us.

So please listen to the words of wisdom offered by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, O.S.B. in his book Latin Saying for Spiritual Growth.

Caritas prima sibi
("Charity is first to itself.")
John Wycliffe

~~~

Where does love begin?

The Scriptures offers the answer, simple and profound: "God is love" (1John 4:8).

God is the source of love. God's love surrounds us from our beginnings, offering us an embrace we are free to accept or reject, filling us with a peace we are free to keep for ourselves and to share.

And what then? God loves us, so whom must we love?

It's not enough to love in general or to profess love for people we never meet. We're called to love people, as they are unique and specific brothers and sisters.

The only place to begin, then is with those around us, as the common translation of this saying instructs: "Charity begins at home."

As with every other virtue, love takes practice. We learn how to love by taking small steps of kindness and sacrifice right where we are, with those closest to us. At home we develop this habit of love, so when we walk out the door into the business of our daily live, we bring God's love wherever we are and to whomever we chance to meet that day.

~~~~~~~

Why this call to love, yet again. It should be a constant call for us privileged enough to have the capacity to GIVE. Today I have heard that food pantries everywhere are having a difficult time feed the poor. It will only get worse before it gets better. We love our family enough to feed them in many ways. We feed with hugs, attention, and love that feeds the spirit and soul. But food for the body may be a commodity which we take for granted and because we have never really been hungry. I would, therefore, challenge anyone reading this to contribute to the local food pantry in your area. You need not take food to the pantry. Perhaps your church has a food drive or place to leave food donations. Even better!!! Send a check directly to the local food pantry so they can shop for their needs and supply what is most needed. Call the local St. Vincent de Paul. You know best!!

Right now my stomach is comfortably full. But out there are children and the elderly who are not as fortunate. Many homeless only have an occasional meal at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Please pray for them, yes, but also contribute to THEIR welfare in a concrete way. GIVE the love that begins at home to those in great need. Give as He gave...until it hurt!

~~~+~~~
For you all I say,
"Thanks be to God."

Monday, October 20, 2008

Canadian Fall


I'm back home from the wedding festivities and what a grand time we all had. There is nothing to compare with the gathering of family and friends on such an occasion. The sharing of love and hugs is the best gift one can receive.

I'm going to take some time to recuperate and gather my thoughts, but in the meantime I am offering these pictures that were sent to me as a gift. Enjoy!



Canadian Fall

FALL AT BUTCHART GARDENS , VICTORIA , B. C.,

CANADA

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE ANYTHING

COULD

BE THIS BEAUTIFUL..






~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

God's Pharmacy

Picture by mightymightymatse

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 45:10

This was sent to me by a friend and now I share it with you! It certainly puts a new light on my ideas about the worth of fruits and vegetables. Now, they are not just vitamins and minerals...

A sliced carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and yes, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all the research today show grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut look like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles and folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more that three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and, yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, bok choy, rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avacadoes, eggplant, and pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female--they look just like these organs. Today's research show that when a woman eats one avacado a week it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound. It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avacado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are 14,000 photolitic chemical constituents of nutritionin each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and name about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increse the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the gylcemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Oranges, grapefurits and other Citurs furits look just like the breast and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onlions look like the body's cells. Todays research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

So there you have it. Eat hearty and now enjoy those fruits and veggies knowing how healthy they really can make you! God has been so good to us!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bad Haidu Yuktoberfest


It's Bad Haiku Friday with a festive flavor. So I invite up you all to enjoy the fun and frivolity here and at Catholic Teacher Musings.


It's Autumn it's true
When Halloween comes around
So here's BOO to YOU!


~~~^j^~~~

Have a grand day
and
THANKS be to GOD!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Picture MEME

Cy at Therese's Roses tagged me for the Picture MEME. Here are the rules: Go to your pictures, go to the 6th file, go to the 6th picture and then post it.


So this is Ron and Jimmy on the grounds of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. We had a grand day. We were there to visit the Louvre Exhibition. We got there early and walked to a Starbucks down the street for breakfast and a chat. It really was a wonderful day!

And so I tag:

The Dutchess
Marie at View From the Pews
Kimberly at Our God is an Awesome God

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom

The Book of Win 'n' Wisdom





Bia at La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons asked recently about the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom. Thought I would share it with you.

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom is a project I started about 10 yrs ago when our David married. It is an accumulation of shared stories, verse, Scripture, or advise given my family and friends to the Newly Weds. Everyone who wants can contribute and then I put the book together with pages of wit and wisdom by the "masters" and The Master. Since I first stated this project, it has been given to family and friends for weddings, anniversarys and birthdays. It's great fun for me and those who receive it seem to enjoy it. It used to be a surprise, but not any more...I suspect there would be disappointment if were not presented to the remaining members of the family who know of the tradition.

The explanation of the book is on the opening page.

The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom is a Keller Family tradition based on the willingness of the Iris to always have advise to give, tales to tell or memories to share by family and friends for every occasion or celebration. The Keller Clan wishes [happiness to all in life's Adventure] full of tales with just enough Blarney to make them worth telling.


The books have ranged in size from the first one in 5x7 albums to Father Gene's regular sized album of the celebration of his 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. They have all been a grand adventure for me as I get to participate in sharing of the family's "treasures" they wish to share.

Please feel free to begin your own projects for birthdays, Baptisms, Confirmations, or Graduation. Anytime you wish to celebrate Family and Friends and gather it together in one place as a lasting memory of those you love. A book much like one given us by our Creator Father in his Words of Wisdom in the Most Holy Bible, a book we have TREASURED for all time. His words are often found repeated in the pages of the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom. Consider joining this adventure. It has certainly be worth the journey for me.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden

For some time I have said the rosary. And to my friends they understand it is a matter of making sure my children are prayed for, if not an obsession. They are patient with me and even keep me on an even keel by showing me the humor in this magnificent obsession.

When I started I was saying one decade for each of my five children. Then each of the children got their individual rosary so that each day is said on their rosary with each decade said for the children. Next came the boxes. That way they weren't getting tangled (reduced the sibling rivalry). A friend makes beautiful porcelain figurines and so I got the stature of the Virgin Mary. Finally, to add to the wonder of my prayers, last Mother's Day my daughter-in-law helped my grandsons make the tray with their beautiful flowers on it. And so came to pass my Rose Garden.

I also have found that saying the scriptural rosary is so much more beneficial for me. I not only pray for each child but I am able to meditate on the life of Christ as well. I also have a large library of scriptural rosary texts so that I don't get bogged down in one. You see it is complicated and most people would be happy just to say the rosary. Not me, I have to have ritual. So there you have it!

This being the month of the rosary and also the month of Marianne's birth I want to wish her Happy Birthday today. Today she is 30 and on Saturday she will be a beautiful bride entering into a new and challenging phase of her life. Pray for her!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Monday, October 13, 2008

The Simple Women's Daybook



Again it's been awhile since I've done this but it was a grand weekend a I've a lot to be grateful for. Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

So I begin.

1. I'm thinking...it's incredible that this far into the month of October that it is so beautiful.

2. From the Kitchen...I'm fixing my cream of wheat.

3. I am creating...and have nearly completed Marianne's "Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom"

4. I'm wearing... my nightgown, robe and slippers. It's 5:00 a.m. CDT (I need to find a different time to do this)

5. I am reading..."Love, Mercy and Justice." A publication by the Sisters of Providence.

6. I'm hoping...I can stay focused on the plans for the coming weekend.

7. I am hearing...The kettle boiling for my tea.

8. Around the house...There are pictures I want to get framed and hung in the Family Room.

9. Few plans for the rest of the week...Gathering and organizing packing for the trip to INDY and Marianne and Eric's wedding on Saturday.

10. One of my favorite things is...being with family and sharing in their happiness. All the kids will be together for the wedding and I am SO excited.

11. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Autumn at the Woods
Saint Mary-of-the-Wood, Indiana

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!


Sunday, October 12, 2008

Apple Picking

Yesterday Ron and I went to a friend's dad's house to pick apples. The trees were so over burdened with the apples that some of the branches were bowed and even broken. They weren't big apples or "store" pretty apples, but tasty they were. The bees were buzzing and humming over the ones on the ground, but do not fear. We thanked God for their presence.

When we were done. We loaded up the ladder and gathered the bags and went right down to Mother Theresa's Treasures and the Newburgh Food Pantry. Kathy was there to receive these tasty morsels and we were grateful that we could offer them. Ron and I had the opportunity to give of time, talent and the treasure of God's creation. And to give credit where credit is due. This was a wonderful idea, Ron had. For me, it was one of those Christ moments. He was there in our midst!!

~~^j^~~
~Thanks be to God~



Thursday, October 09, 2008

Praying with St. Paul...


Nothing Missing
Father John Dominic Corbel, OP

"May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lor be with all of you."
~2Thessalonians 3:16~

Sunday afternoons in the fall were my father's favorite time. They were set aside for the Cleveland Browns. In those years the Browns had Fran Ryan, Paul Warfield, Leroy Kelly, and of course, the Great Jimmy Brown taking care of business. These afternoons were peaceful times for me. Not because there wasn't excitement or suspense or the occasional disappointment. There was plenty of that. But no matter how tight the game became I always knew that between the Browns and my father there was nothing missing. Everything necessary was in place to bring us victory.

Could you compare a Sunday afternoon's football game with the peace of the Lord? Sunday is the Sabbath. It is the day the Lord looked out on the world he had made and said that it was very good. There was nothing missing.

When the Apostle prays that the Lord of peace may give us his peace, he is praying that the Lord who is complete goodness in whom there is nothing missing who lacks for nothing, may communicate to us that same security and completion.

This prayer that the Lord may give us peace at all times and in every way can't be granted to us in this life if we mean by peace the actual experience of the invulnerable serenity and infinite perfection that belongs to God as God. But all the same, we know in faith that there is nothing missing. The Lord is with us and so, even if we are hungry or thirsty, if we are in trouble, or even if our favorite football team is losing again, or if we face hunger or nakedness or the sword, still there is nothing missing. We have what we need to win eternal life. Everything. The Lord is with us. There is nothing missing

Lord Jesus, our lives are often full of stress and it is often hard to
feel your presence with us. Help us to know that you have given us
everything we need to be joyful with you for ever.

Nothing left to be said! Have a Peace-filled day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

A Grand Weekend (Part II)

Marianne's Bridal Shower



Thank you to all who prepared for and came to celebrate at Marianne's Bridal Shower. The company was grand, the food was great and the laughter and stories a delight. I had such a good time, as mothers are want to do!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Monday, October 06, 2008

A Grand Weekend (Part I)


I had a wonderful day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Autumn at "The Woods" is really beautiful. Orientation went well and Sister Dorothy and I had a grand visit. She continues her work with the poor in West Terre Haute as well as her prison ministry.

Mass that morning was truly grand as the congregation prayed for candidates and companions alike as we begin this year long journey towards my becoming an associate of the Sisters of Providence. It will be a challenging journey, but not one I take alone.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To God!!!

Friday, October 03, 2008

A Busy Weekend Ahead




to travel
and get there safely
a real "trip"



This is the weekend I begin my journey as a candidate as an Associate of the Sisters of Providence. I will spend Saturday at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods with my companion Sister Dorothy Rasche and other candidates to hear what is expected of us on this journey. Pray for me!

Then I'm off to Indianapolis. Sunday is Marianne's bridal shower. I'm not quite sure how to get to Marianne's as Ron is the one who always drives. Pray for me!

It should be lots of fun as it is an "around the clock shower." We will celebrate at Wes and Annie's new house and co-hostess is her sister Laura. It'll be fun to see what her "day" will hold for her.

Then, I'd like to get home by 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. Our parish mission starts Sunday night and I really would hate to miss "opening night." Fr. Dennis is the retreat master and he was wonderful at our women's retreat last winter at St. Meinrad Archabbey. Pray for me!

You all have a grand weekend and I'll pray for you!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

St. Therese of the Little Flower of Jesus

When it's your one of your namesakes feast day you find ways to celebrate. And so it is today, I celebrate the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. First, I give thanks to my parents for choosing the name of a saint who truly is an example of determination and humility. And thanks be to God for her glorious creation!

Today I offer as I do every month the newsletter from China Little Flower. Shannon offers these words of Scripture for our reflection as we share in the work of the abandoned and neglected little ones.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." -Mt 19:14

Finally in the words of this dear follower of the Christ Child we hear...


Even a little child can scatter flowers, to scent the throne room with their fragrance; even a little child can sing in its shrill treble, the great canticle of Love. That will be my life: to scatter flowers~~to miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word, always doing the tiniest things right and doing it for love.

~~ St. Therese of Lisieux~
~

So, today, on this feast of the Little Flower, do some tiny things that will make a difference!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!